Equipment stand



March 7, 1944. o. H. PIEPER EQUIPMENT STAND Filed Oct. 25, 1,941

5 Sheets-$11691*l 1 March 7, 1944. H PEPE- R 2,343,620

EQUIPMENT STAND Filed Oct. 25, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INYENTOR. HPuPer -zIsATToRNEYS March 7, 1944. o. H. PIEPER 2,343,620

EQUIPMENTl STAND l Filed Oct. 25, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 zvNvrgNToR. -scarzCPujaer BY 2 f '/zs ATTORNEYS line 'lar-Ta in Fig. 4,;

Patented Mar. 7, 1944 anatre- EQUIPMENT STAND Oscar H. ,'Pieper, Rochester, N. Y.; Rochester Trust and vSafe 'Deposit Company, Rochester, N. Y., a domestic banking corporation of New York, executorof said Oscar H. Pieper, deceased Application October 25, 1941, Serial No. 4165538 (C1. 3,2-22) 1o claims.

This invention-relatesto equipmentstands for use in medical work such as the practice `of dentistry, for example, and, more particularly, to the combination therewith of `motor driven tool equipment, such -as the so-called dental engine commonly forming Aa part Aof such stands, one object of the invention being to provide amore compact and self-contained construction Aof the character described, in which the motor portions of the equipment below the tool armif are fenclosed and vprotected to a maximum extent within the hollow housing of thestand.

Another object is -to provide adental engine comprisinga tool armymotor, 'and supporting bearing means'of maximum simplicity and eiciency, so combined withman lequipment stand that the motor vand its supporting bea-ring means are located, housed and protected `within `the walls of the Ystand in'a more Vcompact and selicontained formof construction.

Other objectsare to provide an improved coinstruction of the above character vin which the convenient flexibility of the tool arm yis `fully maintained, with a minimum v'of 'arm Jloints, pulleys and like operating parts exposed outside the housing,` in a simple, clean-cut and pleasing type of design. f j

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will 'be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the'specication.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an Aelevation of an equipment stand embodying the present `invention; y Y

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, showing the upper portion of the lstand and the associated dental engine with the latterin `one of its positions;

Fig. 3 is a Similar viewwith the dental Yengine in a different position;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation `substantially on the line lla-flajin' Fig. `3;

Fig. 5 'is -an elevation of a supporting frame for the dental engine shown detached with an associated housing part in section; l

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of one vof the arms for supporting the dental engine;

Fig. '7 isa top plan view substantially on the Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the stand with the tool arm indicated in different positions V0iY adjustment;

Fig. 9 is a `sectional plan View substantially on theline 9a-9a in Fig.,4, and

Fig. 10 is a -top plan, partly in section,as viewed from the line I (la-I 0a inFig. 5.

The invention is described in 'the present :vinstance, by way of illustration, as embodied in a dental equipment stand, although useful applications are contemplated/mother elds aswell. Dental equipment stands *have commonly been constructed with the dental engine-supportedby an `external bracket onthe stand, `or supported directly on the 'stand but occupying an objectionable'amount of space, as well as being-unprotected by'any housing. and presenting a somewhatunsightly appearance. Equipment stands have also been made in which the motor of VVthe dental engine has been'mounted'in fixed position inside the housingfof the stand with its shaft and pulley projecting outside the housing and with extra arm and pulley means for movably supporting the-tool arm and driving its'tool. I-havefound, however, that this problem.may be solved in a much improved and more advantageous way by a construction which accomplishes the foregoing objects and which may be embodied in the preferred'form'hereafter described.

In-Fig. 1l .there is shown a dental equipment stand indicated generally at l5 of a known or suitable character comprising'alhollow frame or housingof generally column shape resting at its base I6 on the oor and presentingwithin easy reach of the practitioner his various vuseful items of equipment (not shown), as well understood in the art. In accordance Withthe present invention the dental engine is mounted` for movement as a unit and housed Within the upper end of the stand.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 3, v and 4, the side walls of the stand housing are shown at Il, and secured thereto as by means of bolts i8 are the side flanges I9 of a supporting bed 20 shown also vin Fig. 7. Secured to bed plate 2i) as by means of bolts 2| .is 2a supportingmember 22 carrying a hub 23 inwlfnchlis `formed a vertical bearing 24 for one of .the elements by which the vdentalengine is mounted for a universal type of movement `within the housing of the stand.

, The means for movably supporting the dental engine preferably comprisean .arm means indicated generally at 25 which may be conveniently made in the form of a casting terminating at its lowerend in a trunnion 26 mounted for oscillating movement in bearing 24. A bearing washer 27 is preferably inserted between hub 23 and a thrust `shoulder on arm means 25 at the upper end of trunnion 26. Arm means 25 comprises upwardly and outwardly extending spaced forlc arms 28 and 29 (Fig. 4) the upper ends of which are formed with alined horizontal bearings for receiving the trunnions Yof a frame in which is mounted the motor of the dental engine, as hereafter described, The bearing of arm 28 is preferably enlarged and tapered as shown at 30 for a purpose hereafter described, while the arm 29 has a cylindrical bearing 3|. It is apparent from the above description that arm means 25 is mounted for oscillating movement in the support bearing 24 and support 22 is preferably formed with a projecting lug 32 with which the arms 28 and 29 are arranged to engage so as to limit oscillation of the arm means to substantitally 180, as indicated in Figure 7.

An additional element is provided for mounting the dental engine motor for oscillation about the horizontal axis of the bearings 3D and 3| of the arm means 25 comprising preferably a frame indicated generally at 33 (Figs. 4, 5, and 10).

This frame may be conveniently manufactured in the form of a casting comprising a motor ring portion 34 encircling the motor field and radial arms 35 which are curved inwardly and upwardly and joined by an annular portion 36 to which further reference will hereafter be made. The motor ring portion 34 of the frame is provided diametrically with trunnions, one at 31 received in bearing 30 of the arm means 25, and the other at 38 which is received in the other bearing 3| of the arm means. The motor frame 33 is thus supported for oscillation about the horizontal axis described, limited in extent by engagement of a lug 39 on the frame with spaced lugs 40 on arm 28 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and in detail in Figs. and 6.

For mounting the dental engine motor in frame 33, the latter preferably has its lower ring portion 34 formed with three openings 4| (Fig. 9) arranged at 120 from one another. In such openings are blocks 42 of rubber or other' suitable resilient material which are formed in turn with openings 43, receiving trunnions or bolt heads 44 xed in the housing 45 of the motor. By this means the motor `is mounted in resilient bearings in ring 34 which absorb its operating vibrations. It is apparent from the above description that the dental engine motor is mounted for oscillation about the horizontal axis of the bearings 30 and 3| of arm means 25 and also for oscillation about the vertical axis of bearing 24 of arm means 25, so that it is freely supported for a universal type of movement within the limits described.

The motor housing 45 has fixed thereto the usual arms 46 supporting the upper and lower bearings 41 and 48 for the shaft 49 of the rotor 50. Rotor Shaft 49 has fixed thereon beyond its upper bearing 41 a pulley 5| for the usual belt 52 for driving the tool of the motor arm.

It will be noted that the dental engine motor is positioned mainly within the stationary part l1 of the stand housing and below :its top wall 53 which has formed therein an opening 54 closed by a movable housing part 55 hereafter described formed with a small opening through which project only the end of the rotor shaft 49 and its pulley 5|. The housing part 55 is preferably dome-shaped or hemispherical, as shown, and secured at its base as by means of screws 56 to the motor ring 34 of frame 33 (Fig. 9) so that this housing part oscillates integrally with the frame 33 and the motor. The annular portion 36 of frame 33 is preferably formed with a substantially hood-shaped portion 51 projecting through an opening 58 in housing part 55 about the rotor shaft end and its pulley 5|. The peripheral edge of opening 58 is preferably seated and supported on a step 59 of the frame 33, as shown, the hood-shaped portion 51 constituting in effect an extension of the housing part 55 to partially house the pulley.

A jointed tool arm 60 of known or suitable construction carrying at its outer end a rotary tool 6| is preferably fixed on the movable housing part 55, or more specifically, its extension 51, for which purpose the latter is formed with a socket in which the inner end of the tool arm is fixed as indicated generally at 82, the housing extension 51 and the tool arm extending as shown over and partially around the pulley 5| so as to substantially enclose and protect the same, with a sufficient opening for the driving belt 52. The opening 54 in which housing part 55 oscillates is equipped at its edge with an S-shaped ring 63 (Fig. 4) carrying a sealing ring 64 of rubber, felt or other suitable material for lightly but closely engaging part to maintain a sealed joint between the latter and the stationary top wall 53 of the stand.

Means are preferably provided for counterbalancing the dental engine and controlling its movement about its horizontal axis comprising a spring Wire 65 coiled on a bushing on trunnion 38 of frame 33, with one end 66 of the spring engaging arm 29 and the other end engaging a lug 61 (Fig. 9) on frame ring 34. Spring 65 is adjusted to substantially counteract the unbalanced weight of the dental engine, and means are also provided for applying an adjustable friction for lightly retaining it in adjusted position. Such means comprise in the present instance a split collar 88 of suitable material, such as a molded plastic or fiber composition, surrounding trunnion 31 of the frame ring 34. The outer periphery of co1- lar 68 is tapered to correspond with the above described taper of bearing 3l) and a nut 69 threaded on trunnion 31 serves to adjustably press the collar against the taper of its bearing to afford a regulated frictional resistance to the turning of trunnion 31 in its bearing 30. A suitable thrust Washer 10 is interposed between frame ring 34 and the adjacent surface of arm 28.

It i5 apparent from the above described construction of the several parts that the dental engine is enclosed and protected substantially entirely within the housing of the stand with only the outer end of the motor shaft and pulley projecting for the connection of the driving belt, these parts being also partially enclosed and protected by the housing extension 51. This compact and self-contained construction is accomplshed, moreover, while maintaining universal movement and full exibility of the dental engine with a minimum of operating parts outside the housing. The operating parts and utilitarian lines of the dental engine are thus housed and blended Within the upper end of a stand of domed and pleasing appearance. The invention thus accomplishes its objects, and While it is disclosed herein in the embodiment now preferred, this disclosure is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, for it is contemplated that various modifications of the same will occur to those skilled in the art, Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An equipment stand comprising a housing having an opening at its upper end, a support in said.liousing'hayingaf-verticallyextendingf pearling; `arm means* m'ount'eui` for4m oscillation infsaidfi` supportf'iiearingfendiproviddyuthspaeedibear-4 nig"means,` a framefmouhtedffor oseiliation in said*j arm b'earing means? arid providedfwitirsup pmrtiiigV means ofx resilient* material; aff motor' mounted: Onfsaidsuppo'rting means witli'its'rotor'- shaft' arranged' at a'n anglecf'to'4 the-f1 axis" off said; arrnl bearing means .andprojctin'g" at* one"A en'd'"` through' saidppening, afto'ol arm associatedwithf saidlfram'e; meansiforjconnterbaianegisaid mcri tory,frameJ and" arm; al'just'abl'e friction' means fr-contro1ling tiiemovement'f of; sa-id meter; frame" and arm; aP-pulley' on* said' rotor 'shaft lfor" driving-connection with al rotaryftjool carri'e'eds byv said; arm, andi a" housing1 'pia/rtassociatuf and'` limited universal movementl of its rotor shaft, a

casing enclosing and movable withsaid motor, said top opening of the housing being of substantially circular shape and said casing being of substantially hemispherical shape and closing said opening during movement of said motor on said bearing means, said motor having an end of its shaft projecting outwardly through said casf ing, a tool arm associated and movable With said motor outside said casing, means on said shaft end for driving connection with a tool carriedby said arm, and means for counterbalancing the weight of said arm. n

3. In an equipment stand, a housing having a stationary part and a movable part, a support in said housing having an upwardly extending bearing, arm means mounted for oscillation in said support bearing and provided with bearing means having an axis arranged at an angle to the axis of said support bearing, a motor mounted for oscillation in said arm bearing means with its rotor shaft arranged at an angle to the axis of said arm bearing means, said movable housing part being associated and movable with said motor, a tool arm outside said movable housing part and associated and movable therewith, means for connecting said rotor shaft through said movable housing part with a rotary tool carried by said arm for driving the same, and resilient means connected with said arm means and said motor for counterbalancing said motor and its associated housing part and tool arm.

4. In an equipment stand, a housing having a stationary part and a movable part, a support in said housing having an upwardly extending bearing, means comprising spaced arms mounted for oscillation in said support bearing and provided with bearings having an axis arranged at an angle to the axis of said support bearing, a motor mounted-'for oscillation in said bearings with its rotor shaft arranged at an angle to the axis of saidjl arm bearings, said movable housing part being. associated and movable with said motor, a tool arm outside said movable housing part and associated and movable therewith, means for connecting said rotor shaft through said movable housing part with a tool carried by said arm to rotate the same, spring means connected with one of said bearing arms and with said motor forcounterbalancing the same and its associated housing part and tool arm, and adjustable friction means connecting the other of said bearing arms with said motor for controlling the movearnilbfearirigs w y 51.-- An equipment-t stafnd; comprising: aA station'- ary'housing havingfa substantially circular openmgm awall-thereof; a motor in saidlh'ousi-n'gl,

5 tionaryhousing rand partiallyfenclosing saidmo# tor; saidhemispherical housing being fixed'I withV respect' tosaidV motor and'movable with said m'ot'or', a'narmxedfor movementwith said mo` tor; said'arm rbeing adapted to carry a tool, said hemispherical" housing` having an opening; and means extending" through said opening of said hemispherical -housing 'and feonnecting said'motor withsaid tool for drivingthe-'samet 6.' An equipment 'standf comprising: aA stationary housing having a circular opening; a unit including a frame, a motor mounted in said frame, a substantially hemispherical housing secured to said frame and partially enclosing ysaid motor and frame and a tool arm exteriorly of said heini--v spherical housingand movable with said motor, said hemispherical housing having an opening and said motor having means extending through said opening for driving connection with a tool carried by said arm, said substantially hemispherical housing tting said opening in said stationary housing; and means in said stationary housing supporting said unit for limited universal movement relative to said opening in said stationary housing.

7. An equipment stand, comprising: a stationary housing having an opening in its upper end, a bracket within said housing provided with a vertical bearing, a fork member mounted for oscillation in said vertical bearing and including spaced arms each provided with a horizontal bearing, a frame disposed between said arms and mounted for oscillation in said horizontal bearings, a motor supported by said frame with its shaft arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of said horizontal bearings, a substantially hemispherical housing secured to said frame and fitting into said opening in said stationary housing, an arm movable with said motor, said arm being adapted to carry a tool, said hemispherical housing partially enclosing said motor and being provided With an opening, one end of said motor shaft projecting through said last-mentioned opening, and a pulley mounted upon said projecting end of said motor shaft for driving said tool.

8. An equipment stand, comprising: a stationary housing having a circular opening, a motor including a shaft, means in said stationary housing supporting said motor for limited universal movement relative to said opening, a substantially hemispherical housing fitting into said opening and being movable With said motor, said hemispherical housingl partially enclosing said motor and being provided with an opening, one end of said motor shaft projecting through said last-mentioned opening, a pulley mounted upon said projecting end of said motor shaft, a hood member movable with said motor partially enclosing said shaft end and pulley, and an arm rigid with said hood member adapted to carry a tool, said pulley providing driving means for said tool.

9. An equipment stand, comprising: a stationary housing having a substantially circular opening in a wall thereof, a motor in said housing meneersaidimoierfanu assoeiaiedipartamsaifi including a shaft, means in said stationary housing supporting said motor for limitedsuniversal movement thereof relative to said opening, a substantially hemispherical housing fitting said opening in said stationary housing, said hernispherical housing partially enclosing said motor and being fixed with respect to said motor and movable with said motor, said hemispherical housing having an opening, one end of said mctor shaft projecting through said last-mentioned opening, a pulley on said projecting end of said motor shaft, a hood member movable with said motor, said hood member projecting through said last-mentioned opening and partially enclosing said shaft end and pulley, and an arm rigidly secured to said hood member, said arm being adapted to carry a tool and said pulley being arranged to drive said tool.

10. An equipment stand, comprising: a stationary housing having an opening in its upper end. a. motor in said housing includinga shaft, means in said stationary housing supporting said motor for universal movement relative to said opening, said means including a frame and said motor being mounted in said frame. a substantially hemispherical housing secured to said frame and fitting into said opening in said stationary housing, said hemispherical housing partially enclosing said motor and frame and being provided with an opening, said frame including a hood portion extending through said last-mentioned opening, one end of saidmotor shaft projecting into said hood, a pulley mounted upon said projecting end of said motor shaft, and an arm rigidly secured to said hood adapted to carry a tool, said pulley being arranged to serve as a driving means for said tool. l A

OSCAR H. PIEPER. 

